THE BOOK OF MORMON RULES!!

Well, my loyal and faithful readers out there in the vast hinterlands, it comes as no surprise that THE BOOK OF MORMON virtually swept the Tony Awards last night.

This profane and intensely funny comedy about missionaries spreading Mormonism in Uganda won 9 of the 12 awards for which it was nominated, including “Best Musical.”

This was an excellent evening’s entertainment, if you are a theater fan. If not, then you haven’t the slightest clue what I am talking about. None-the-less, Billi Pod wants to share some of his thoughts about the program, so here goes ...

Host Neil Patrick Harris began the show at the Beacon Theatre with an exuberant, facetious song about how Broadway isn't just for gay people any more. He later mocked SPIDER-MAN; TURN OFF THE DARK, sang with Hugh Jackman, rode one of the puppet horses of WAR HORSE, and ended the show with a mind-boggling rap-music summary of the winners. He was totally awesome.

Billi Pod was 8 for 8 in his predictions posted yesterday.

Some of Billi Pod’s random thoughts/observations:

1. Never ever invite Brook Shields to participate in any live TV show.

(a) If it is a “live” show, then how can anything be bleeped? If there is a tape-delay, then is it really a "live show?" Jus askin’

2. Larry Kramer’s remarks when accepting the award for the revival of his THE NORMAL HEART where very moving, ending with ...

"Learn from it and carry on the fight. Our day will come."

3. The WTF moment came in Mark Rylance’s acceptance speech for winning The Best Actor in a Play award -- he recited an obscure poem about walking through a wall. WTF?

4. Trey Parker, of South Park and THE BOOK OF MORMON, thanking his late “book co-writer” Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon religion:

"You did it, Joseph! You got the Tony!" Parker said looking skyward and holding up his award.

5. WAR HORSE winning The Best Play has already created lots of negative carping from the “theater-elite” to the effect that it won for best production, not best play. Get over it folks ... it was both.

6. Major question==>why did Norbert Leo Butz, in his acceptance speech for winning Best Actor In a Musical, fail to mention his co-star (and unfairly nomination snubbed) Aaron Tveit? Jus askin’

Oh, Billi Pod has many more observations but he needs to move on to other things. He will say, however, that the show last night was one of the best ever for The Tony’s.

In yesterday’s posting I said that I would probably catch a movie. Well, I didn’t. Instead Billi Pod stayed in and watched baseball, the afternoon YANKEES/CLEVELAND game, which the Yanks won 9-1 with a good outing by Freddie Garcia. The win makes 3 in a row.

When the game was over Billi Pod was antsy, so he headed out for a nice walk, covering about 2 1/2 miles. It felt great.

At 10:30, during the awards ceremony, Billi Pod grilled a great steak on his George Foreman grill, with a baked potato and sautéed onions. Nice.

Today, being Monday, will be the usual errands and stuff.

Tonight’s entertainment event is ...

7:05==>YANKEES/CLEVELAND @ Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed Built.

The Yanks will be going for the sweep with AJ Burnett aka Loser Boi on the mound. Billi Pod will be there.

In closing==>HOW ‘BOUT THEM GATORS!! They are on their way to The College World Series @ Omaha, NEB.

GO GATORS AND GO YANKEES!!

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”